It is true that you simply do not get the density of wildlife in a shade garden. With less sunshine, there is less food production and that affects all the animals up the food chain. However, beautiful and floriferous shade gardens are easily achieved and you can still attract a decent amount of wildlife. I would also say that if aesthetics are important to you, then you should place greater emphasis on leaf textures in shade gardens because the leaves in shady areas do not get burnt by the sun and look better.

With less emphasis of flowering perennials in a shade garden, more thought can be given to a diversity of plants that includes small trees, shrubs, ferns and sedges. Most grasses cannot handle shade, so take a look at sedges instead as these plants often have excellent value for wildlife.

The seasons to focus on in a shady garden are spring and fall. In the spring, you have shrubs that flower as well as woodland flowers. In the fall there are the asters and goldenrods that can add some flower power.

Here is list of plants that can be grown for wildlife in the shade or in part-shade.

Name

Notes

Actaea rubra (Red baneberry)

Both Red Baneberry and the closely related Doll's Eyes produce pollen that may be used by bees to some extent. The fruit are eaten by various birds.

Yellow Giant Hyssop can easily grow with just a couple of hours of sun each day while Agastache scrophularia requires part-sun. There are not too many woodland plants that flower in August that are so attractive to bees.

Ajuga Reptans (Bugleweed)

This plant is non-native and not a favourite plant of mine. However, it can tolerate poor soils and it spreads easily. Its flowers attract bees. It tolerates full shade

Virginia Creeper is a vine that grows quite well in the shade and provides fruit for birds. It is also a host plant for several species of sphinx moths. Do not plant Boston Ivy which is a member of the same genus.

Phlox divaricata

Woodland phlox flowers in late spring and grows in moist well drained soil. It provides nectar to insects with long tongues. These include butterflies and some of the larger bees.

Solidago caesia (Blue-stemmed goldenrod) grows well in dry shade and Solidago flexicaulis (Zig-Zag goldenrod) grows well in moist soils with some dryness tolerated. They both attract a wide variety of insects.